History TookALevelInKindness / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' makes this a big part of [[IdiotHero Luke's]] character arc. He starts out as a certified {{Jerkass}}, selfish, irresponsible, disrespectful and childish. One ''hefty'' WhamEpisode and an ImportantHaircut later, he resolves to change for the better. He starts thinking for himself, respecting his comrades, and actively trying to win back their trust to the point where he's willing to [[spoiler: pull a HeroicSacrifice to make up for his misdeeds.]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIGDaJHA6V8&t=1m55s This]] happens right after said ImportantHaircut and is pretty much the first part of his CharacterDevelopment in a nutshell (spoilers up to the first visit to Aramis Springs).

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* ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' makes this a big part of [[IdiotHero Luke's]] character arc. He starts out as a certified {{Jerkass}}, selfish, irresponsible, disrespectful and childish. One ''hefty'' WhamEpisode and an ImportantHaircut later, he resolves to change for the better. He starts thinking for himself, respecting his comrades, and actively trying to win back their trust to the point where he's willing to [[spoiler: pull a HeroicSacrifice to make up for his misdeeds.]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIGDaJHA6V8&t=1m55s This]] happens right after said ImportantHaircut and is pretty much the first part of his CharacterDevelopment in a nutshell (spoilers up to the first visit to Aramis Springs). That said, Luke was always [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold kind]] just didn't know how to express it [[spoiler: being actually [[YoungerThanHeLooks seven]] as well as massively [[ShelteredAristocrat sheltered]] and [[SpoiledBrat spoiled]] due to them believing he just has amnesia from the trauma of his kidnapping.]]** [[BrokenAce Jade]] [[TheGadfly Curtiss]] is a subtle take on this. Even Jade doesn't really notice until it's pointed out by another character that he's become a better person. When he does, he attributes his change to [[MoralityPet Luke]]'s own development and influence.** [[BadassNormal Guy]] [[StepfordSmiler Cecil]] is this as well, though in backstory [[spoiler: as he originally was a {{Revenge}} obsessed jerk underneath his facade. But caring for [[MoralityPet Luke]] brought out his inherit kindness and made his mask genuine.]]

* [[DeadpanSnarker Midna]] from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' starts off as ''very'' selfish, pushy, and [[NotInThisForYourRevolution only out to save her own world]], without really caring about Hyrule. After seeing the kindness and bravery of Hyrule's people -especially [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask Princess Zelda]]- she evolves into more of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. [[spoiler:After restoring her true form, when she shatters the mirror that connects Hyrule with the Twilit Realm, she expresses a bit of remorse that she'll never see Link again.]]

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* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':** [[DeadpanSnarker Midna]] from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' starts off as ''very'' selfish, pushy, and [[NotInThisForYourRevolution only out to save her own world]], without really caring about Hyrule. After seeing the kindness and bravery of Hyrule's people -especially [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask Princess Zelda]]- she evolves into more of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. [[spoiler:After restoring her true form, when she shatters the mirror that connects Hyrule with the Twilit Realm, she expresses a bit of remorse that she'll never see Link again.]]

** Also from the Zelda series is Groose from ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]''. He starts off as a typical arrogant and pompous JerkJock who has it in for Link, but at one point he follows Link to the land below the clouds and witnesses Link fighting and resealing the game's SealedEvilInACan. Though he's at first disillusioned over his own apparent uselessness, he comes to respect Link and begins to grow considerably more noble, even becoming a crucial ally to Link in a number of boss battles.** You know he's changed considerably when you find yourself cheering him on when he jumps into the fray and helps Link.

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** Also from the Zelda series is Groose from ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]''. He starts off as a typical arrogant and pompous JerkJock who has it in for Link, but at one point he follows Link to the land below the clouds and witnesses Link fighting and resealing the game's SealedEvilInACan. Though he's at first disillusioned over his own apparent uselessness, he comes to respect Link and begins to grow considerably more noble, even becoming a crucial ally to Link in a number of boss battles.** battles. You know he's changed considerably when you find yourself cheering him on when he jumps into the fray and helps Link.Link.** The whole Gerudo race underwent this over the course of multiple games. In ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' they're a race of warrior thieves feared by the other peoples of the land because of their ferocity and tendency to kidnap people. In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures Four Swords Adventures]]'', in contrast, they're considerably friendlier with non-Gerudo, if a bit standoffish due to Ganondorf's recent actions. By the time of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'', they're no meaner than any other race, with the [[TeamMom motherly]] Urbosa and WiseBeyondHerYears Riju in particular being two of the nicest characters in the game.

* Between the end of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' and the beginning of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'', Kratos has noticeably mellowed out. While he still has his moments of UnstoppableRage, it's no longer his default emotion. Kratos is also trying to be a good parent to [[MoralityPet his son]]; even if he does sometime snap, it's out of ToughLove instead of genuine anger.

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* Between the end of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' and the beginning of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'', Kratos has noticeably mellowed out. While he still has his moments of UnstoppableRage, it's no longer his default emotion. Kratos is also trying to be a good parent to [[MoralityPet his son]]; even if he does sometime snap, it's out of ToughLove instead of genuine anger. Apparently, the fact that he forgave himself for his past sins, combined with awakening hope from inside of him, had a big impact on Kratos as a whole.

** The Grumpy and Snooty villagers have become nicer with each game. The grumpy villagers have gone from jaded jerks to just being rough on the edges, while snooty villagers have gone from narcissistic and elitist to kind but with refined tastes.

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** The Grumpy Cranky and Snooty villagers have become nicer with each game. The grumpy cranky villagers have gone from jaded jerks to just being rough on the edges, while snooty villagers have gone from narcissistic and elitist to kind but with refined tastes.

** During ''Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All'', Adrian Andrews is introduced as an aloof, disinterested manager for Matt Engarde who is quick to brush people off and scoff. Come ''Trials & Tribulations'', the sequel, she's shed that and become a cheerful employee of Lordly Tailor who smiles at everyone (at least when she's not panicking as a CuteClumsyGirl).** Ema Skye managed to slide all the way from one end of the scale to the other and then back again. In the original game's fifth case, she's introduced as a 15 year-old forensic investigator-to-be with all the enthusiasm in the world (this is also the characterization used in the ''[[VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigationsMilesEdgeworth Ace Attorney Investigations]]'' games). Seven years later, in ''VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorney'', she TookALevelInJerkass and acts like a belligerent grump to newcomer Apollo Justice, frustrated her career got sidetracked and that she's stuck in criminal affairs (though she still pursues forensic science with her younger self's enthusiasm under the radar). Come ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice'', she's now completed her forensics qualification exam and is working as a full-time forensic investigator, once more cheerful and enthusiastic about her work.

* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but after many crushing defeats courtesy of the player and in one instance Lance, he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where he takes several levels in it to the point that by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League, any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to losing with nothing but almost doting concern for his Pokemon and words of encouragement for the player.

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* The rival Silver TheRival, AKA Silver, from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but after many crushing defeats courtesy of the player and in one instance Lance, he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where he takes several levels in it to the point that by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League, any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to losing with nothing but almost doting concern for his Pokemon and words of encouragement for the player.player, even going so far as to heal your party for you.

* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but after many crushing defeats courtesy of the player and in one instance Lance, he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to losing with nothing but almost doting concern for his Pokemon and words of encouragement for the player. ** Blue was a JerkAss in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'', but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by [[PlayerCharacter Red]] followed by a ReasonYouSuckSpeech from his grandfather Professor Oak, he becomes less so by ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and ''Crystal'', despite his arrogant streak still being there due to it being a fundamental part of his character. He matures even more by ''Black 2'' and ''White 2'', now a GracefulLoser who wholeheartedly congratulates the player upon being defeated.

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* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but after many crushing defeats courtesy of the player and in one instance Lance, he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where he takes several levels in it to the point that by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League League, any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to losing with nothing but almost doting concern for his Pokemon and words of encouragement for the player. ** Blue was a bratty, snotty JerkAss of a bully in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'', who takes every opportunity to mock the player and rub his accomplishments in your face, but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by [[PlayerCharacter Red]] followed by a ReasonYouSuckSpeech from his grandfather Professor Oak, subsequent offscreen CharacterDevelopment and maturing, he becomes less so by ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and ''Crystal'', despite his arrogant streak still being there due to it being a fundamental part of his character. He matures even more by ''Black 2'' and ''White 2'', now a GracefulLoser who wholeheartedly congratulates the player upon being defeated.character.

* Adelbert Steiner from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' starts out as the most reluctant member of the party, only going along to protect Princess Garnet. He has a big grudge against Zidane for "kidnapping" her (it's complicated) and for being a no-good scoundrel, but he eventually realizes that Zidane is actually a good person.** Lightning from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII''. She starts off as rather cold to her comrades, especially Snow, her future brother-in-law, to a [[BigGood full blown hero]] later in the game and in the sequel ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2''. Fang also goes through similar development.

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* Adelbert Steiner from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' starts out as the most reluctant member of the party, only going along to protect Princess Garnet. He has a big grudge against Zidane [[TheHero Zidane]] for "kidnapping" her (it's complicated) and for being a no-good scoundrel, but he eventually realizes that Zidane is actually a good person.** Lightning [[TheHero Lightning]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII''. She starts off as rather cold to her comrades, especially Snow, her future brother-in-law, to a [[BigGood full blown hero]] later in the game and in the sequel ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2''. Fang also goes through similar development.

* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to lsoing with nothing but concern over his Pokemon and words of encouragement towards the player. ** Blue was a JerkAss in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by Red he becomes less so by ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and ''Crystal'', despite his arrogant streak still being there due to it being a fundamental part of his character. He matures even more by ''Black 2'' and ''White 2'', now a GracefulLoser who wholeheartedly congratulates the player upon being defeated.

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* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He is initially a cruel, harsh young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but after many crushing defeats courtesy of the player and in one instance Lance, he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to lsoing losing with nothing but almost doting concern over for his Pokemon and words of encouragement towards for the player. ** Blue was a JerkAss in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'', but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by Red [[PlayerCharacter Red]] followed by a ReasonYouSuckSpeech from his grandfather Professor Oak, he becomes less so by ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and ''Crystal'', despite his arrogant streak still being there due to it being a fundamental part of his character. He matures even more by ''Black 2'' and ''White 2'', now a GracefulLoser who wholeheartedly congratulates the player upon being defeated.

* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' could count as this. He goes from a cruel, harsh person, but eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon- to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness.** Blue was a JerkAss in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by Red he becomes less so by ''Gold and Silver''.

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* The rival Silver from ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' could count ''Videogame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', as this. well as ''Crystal'' and the remakes, full stop. He goes from is initially a cruel, harsh person, young man and an ArrogantKungFuGuy in every sense of the word, but he eventually becomes friendlier towards the player and his own Pokémon- Pokémon - to the point where his Golbat evolves into a Crobat after reaching high happiness.happiness. This is upped even more in the remakes, where by the time he battles the player in the Indigo League any antagonism towards the player in his speech is gone, and he reacts to lsoing with nothing but concern over his Pokemon and words of encouragement towards the player. ** Blue was a JerkAss in ''Videogame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' but thanks to CharacterDevelopment, maturing, and getting his butt handed to him by Red he becomes less so by ''Gold ''Gold'', ''Silver'', and Silver''.''Crystal'', despite his arrogant streak still being there due to it being a fundamental part of his character. He matures even more by ''Black 2'' and ''White 2'', now a GracefulLoser who wholeheartedly congratulates the player upon being defeated.

* Between the end of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' and the beginning of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'', Kratos has noticeably mellowed out. While he still has his moments of UnstoppableRage, it's no longer his default emotion. Kratos is also trying to be a good parent to [[MoralityPet his son]]; even if he does sometime snap, it's out of ToughLove instead of genuine anger.

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